Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 89: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of patients waiting for elective procedures by hospital at over three months, over six months, and over 12 months at the latest date for which figures are available; the equivalent data in respect of children; the data available on the waiting times for public patients to see a specialist; when the report on neurological services will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8544/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Responsibility for the collection and reporting of waiting lists and waiting times now falls within the remit of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the NTPF to reply to the Deputy directly with the requested information.

Data on out-patient waiting times are not collated nationally by my Department. The management of out-patient waiting lists and waiting times is, in the first instance, a matter for the Health Service Executive and the individual hospitals concerned. However, in 2005 I asked the NTPF to examine the needs of patients waiting longest on out-patient waiting lists. As a result, the NTPF set up a number of out-patient pilot projects around the country. The outcome was that approximately 4,400 persons, who had been waiting longest in a number of specialties, received consultations at out-patient level in private hospitals. The NTPF intends to expand their out-patient initiative in 2006.

With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, additional funding of €3 million was allocated specifically for the further development of neurology and neurophysiology services as part of the Estimates for health services in 2006. This funding was provided to allow the Health Service Executive to further progress the implementation of the recommendations made by the former Comhairle na nOspidéal in respect of these services. The Comhairle report, which has been published, recommended significant enhancement of services, including the appointment of additional consultants. While reaching the full complement of consultant posts as recommended will take some time, major improvements in patient care can be achieved in the shorter term through a combination of additional consultant posts and the appointment of a number of clinical nurse specialists and allied health professionals.

My Department is advised by the executive that the development of three new neurology units will commence during 2006, one in the mid-west, one in the north west and one in the south east, with the appointment of multi-disciplinary teams comprising consultant neurologists and support staff. The HSE will also be investing in neurophysiology services in 2006, with the development of an innovative teleneurophysiology link between Sligo General Hospital and Beaumont Hospital. This initiative is designed to reduce waiting times for diagnostic testing.